Top 10 Vertical Farming Companies Revolutionizing Urban Agriculture
You'd need to be living under a rock to not know that vertical growing is on the rise. For reasons we've touched on in other articles, vertical farming and indoor farming have become viable economic alternatives to traditional agriculture due to a range of reasons.
So why is Vertical farming all the rage right now? Vertical farming has matured as a groundbreaking solution to address the challenges of limited space and increasing food demand in urban areas. As more folks explore innovative ways to grow food efficiently, vertical farming companies have stepped up to the plate, offering cutting-edge technologies and solutions that are revolutionizing how we get your food from the farm to your table.
In this in-depth guide, we'll dive into the world of vertical farming and explore the top 10 companies that are leading the charge in this quickly growing industry. Whether you're a seasoned farmer looking to expand your operations or a curious entrepreneur interested in the potential of vertical farming, this article will give you a go-to list of the who's who in vertical and indoor farming, helping you find the best companies to explore for your needs.
Let's get growing and discover how these great companies are transforming the way we grow, purchase and consume food in our homes, our workplaces, in our stores, and everywhere in between.
The Rise of Vertical Farming
Vertical growing has grown up. The technology is a game-changing solution in the face of growing urbanization (which, undoubtedly, will only increase) and the need for sustainable food production (particularly in a heating world). But what exactly is driving this agricultural revolution?
Why is vertical farming on the rise?
There are a few major reasons why vertical farming is on the up and up.
- Limited land availability in urban areas
- Increasing global population and food demand
- Climate change and unpredictable weather patterns
- Desire for locally grown, pesticide-free produce
- Advancements in LED lighting and hydroponics technology
Vertical farming companies have recognized both these challenges and huge opportunities, developing innovative solutions that allow for year-round crop production in nearly every single environment. From the frigidly cold north, to the steaming hot southern deserts, these systems not only maximize space efficiency but also significantly reduce water usage and eliminate the need for harmful pesticides.
As we delve into the top 10 vertical farming companies, you'll see how each is paving it's own way in indoor farming, offering diverse solutions for various scales of operation -- from home growers to large-scale commercial farms.
Top 10 Vertical Farming Companies
Plenty Farms
Who is Plenty Farms?
Plenty Farms is a leading pioneer in the vertical farming industry and probably one of the most recognizable brand names in the industry. The organization was started by Jack Oslan, Matt Barnard, Nate Mazonson, and Nate Storey, Plenty has made technology and R&D the center of what they do. They use advanced technology to grow pesticide-free produce in controlled indoor environments to be sold to market (ie. grocery stores). Their innovative approach combines AI, machine learning, and robotics to optimize plant growth and maximize yields. If you haven't checked out their technology before, check out this awesome video below
Location: South San Francisco, California, USA
Founded: 2014
What sets Plenty Farms apart?
Their proprietary vertical growing towers can produce up to 350x more produce per acre than conventional farms while using just 1% of the water. Again, we've said it already, but if you haven't seen their technology, the above video is well worth the watch. Plenty's commitment to sustainability and efficiency has attracted really significant investment, including backing from Softbank Vision Fund and Bezos Expeditions.
AeroFarms
Who is Aerofarms?
AeroFarms is one of the oldest and most established players in the vertical farming industry. They specialize in developing and operating indoor vertical farms. Aerofarms are probably the most successful example of aeroponic specific technology, comparative to most other vertical farm suppliers who focus on hydroponic technology. Aerofarms is also the end-supplier, supplying their produce to grocery stores and large contractors.
Location: Newark, New Jersey, USA
Founded: 2004
What makes AeroFarms unique?
Their aeroponic system mists the roots (as opposed to soaking the roots in water as with hydroponics) of plants with nutrients, water, and oxygen, allowing for precise control over the growing environment. This method uses up to 95% less water than traditional field farming and yields up to 390 times more produce per square foot. Aerofarms are also extremely focused on flavor as a differentiator both to traditionally bought grocery produce and other vertical farmers.
GoodLeaf Farms
Who is GoodLeaf?
GoodLeaf Farms is one of the major players on this list representing the Great White North, currently existing as Canada's largest commercial vertical farm operator in particular in Ontario, but also across the country. And they come from good stock - beginning their organization in the agriculture rich business landscape around Guelph, Ontario. They focus on providing locally grown, nutritious leafy greens to Canadian consumers year-round through suppliers include Lowblaws, Freshco, Longo's, and Co-Op (among many others).
Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Founded: 2011
What's special about GoodLeaf?
GoodLeaf focuses very heavily on the quality of their produce. As stated in their words, they use "no pesticides, no herbicides, no fungicides - just great tasting greens". Like many of the players here using hydroponic or aeroponic technology, their vertical farming method uses 95% less water than traditional field farming.
Agritecture
Who is Agrictecture?
We thought we'd go a little off the beaten path for this one. Agritecture provides consulting and planning services for urban agriculture projects, including vertical farms, so they don't necessarily build indoor vertical farms themselves per se. But we don't think that should exclude them from our vertical farming companies list. Agritecture are renowned in the industry (particularly in North America), as fantastic farm consultants. In particular, they help entrepreneurs and organizations develop successful and sustainable farming ventures.
Location: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Founded: 2014
Why is Agritecture important?
Their expertise in both agriculture and architecture allows them to create holistic solutions that consider all aspects of urban farming, from business planning to technical design. They've consulted on over 100 urban agriculture projects in more than 20 countries - not bad if you ask us.
Just Vertical
Who is Just Vertical?
Just Vertical specializes in both building and consulting on large-scale indoor farms, including shipping container farms, custom farms, and growing towers/racks. Unlike most of the organizations in this list, Just Vertical builds farms ranging from small-scale consumer farms, all the way to custom farms in large space.
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Founded: 2016
What makes Just Vertical stand out?
One major element that makes Just Vertical unique is its technology. Just Vertical has focused on owning its owning technology, making it easy to build unique and custom farms as well as maintain and service their farms with ease. Particularly for those looking for external contractors to help build a farm, Just Vertical is the clear industry leader.
Eden Green
Who is Eden Green?
Eden Green Technology is a unique direct-to-market grower and supplier that focuses on both growing technology and distribution with its own proprietary vertical farming technology. They focus on providing fresh, clean, and locally-grown produce to their clients all year. Their focus is also on proximity, ensuring their produce is readily available in a location near their end-user, significantly reducing supply chain costs and emissions from food travel.
Location: Cleburne, Texas, USA
Founded: 2013
What's unique about Eden Green?
Eden Green has a slightly different focus than the competition, mixing growing styles with their Crisply® cultivation technology, combining the benefits of greenhouse and vertical farming, allowing for high-density production while still utilizing natural sunlight. This hybrid approach results in lower energy costs and a smaller carbon footprint compared to fully indoor vertical farms.
Fork Farms
Who is Fork Farms?
Fork Farms is the go-to education supplier for vertical farms across North America out of this group. They're dedicated to making hydroponic growing technology accessible and affordable for schools, non-profits, and communities. Their flagship product, the Flex Farm, is designed for ease of use and high yields in small spaces, and is a product focused on the small-scale agricultural side.
Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA
Founded: 2010
View this post on Instagram
Why is Fork Farms making waves?
Their Flex Farm can produce the equivalent of a quarter-acre of traditional farmland in just 3.5 square feet of space. If you're unfamiliar with their products, they're well worth the browse. In our opinion, they're one of the most striking looking gardens on this list, particularly for smaller scale growing. Their farms are an ideal solution for schools and community organizations looking to teach about sustainable agriculture and provide fresh produce locally.
ZipGrow
Who is Zipgrow?
Also based out of our background in Canada (and Cornwall specifically) ZipGrow offers a range of farming solutions for both commercial and consumer purposes. Their modular growing towers are designed for flexibility and ease of use in various settings.
Location: Cornwall, Ontario, Canada
Founded: 2011
What is Zipgrow all about?
Their patented ZipGrow Towers can be used in greenhouses, warehouses, or even outdoors, providing a versatile solution for different climates and spaces. They also offer comprehensive training and support through their Upstart University, an online, self-serve service platform designed to empower you to learn and operate their farms.
Harvest Today
Who is Harvest Today?
Harvest Today is an organization based out of the States that focuses on creating compact, efficient vertical farming systems for home and small business use. Their products are designed to make fresh produce accessible to everyone, regardless of space constraints. Like many of the other folks on this list, their products are located across the world in places like Australia, South America, and Western Europe.
Location: Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Founded: 2017
What makes Harvest Today unique?
Their Harvest Wall system is a slimmed-down, sleek, modern design that can be easily integrated into home or office spaces who don't need a lot of hand-holding to get the farms growing. Their systems use a closed-loop hydroponic technology, leveraging technology that is ubiquitous across the industry.
Freight Farms
Who is Freight Farms?
Freight Farms are one of the original pioneers of the concept of container farming, transforming shipping containers into fully operational hydroponic farms - a novel solution at their introduction twenty to thirty years ago. Their turnkey solutions make commercial-scale vertical farming accessible to a wide range of customers in a variety of locations, climates, and use-cases.
Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Founded: 2010
Why is Freight Farms a top company?
Their Greenery container farms can grow the equivalent of 2.5 acres of traditional farmland in a 320 square foot space. These mobile farms can be placed virtually anywhere (a huge benefit of container farms more generally), making them ideal for urban environments, food deserts, and harsh climates.
Comparing Vertical Farming Solutions
As we've explored these top 10 vertical farming companies, it's clear that each offers unique solutions to address the challenges of urban agriculture. Let's compare some key aspects of these innovative approaches:
-
Technology Used:
- Aeroponics (AeroFarms)
- Hydroponics (ZipGrow, Freight Farms, Just Vertical)
-
Scale of Operations:
- Large, commercially run farms (Plenty Farms, AeroFarms)
- Small-scale and home solutions (Zipgrow, Harvest Today)
- Educational and community-focused (Fork Farms)
- Full service consultants and hardware suppliers (Just Vertical)
-
Crop Variety:
- Leafy greens and herbs (most companies)
- Fruiting crops (Eden Green, Plenty Farms)
- Customizable crop selection (ZipGrow, Freight Farms)
-
Sustainability Features:
- Water conservation (all companies)
- Energy-efficient lighting (GoodLeaf Farms, Plenty Farms)
- Pesticide-free production (all companies)
- Reduced transportation emissions (all companies, due to local production)
-
Target Market:
- Grocery Stores (selling produce direct) (Aerofarms, Plenty)
- Home growers (Harvest Today)
- Educational institutions (Fork Farms, ZipGrow)
- Commercial farmers & home-growers (Just Vertical)
- Urban planners and developers (Agritecture)
We love this list above as it really highlights the diversity of use cases, situations, and technologies being used by all these amazing vertical farming companies. As a reflection of the market needs more generally, there are of audiences and potential growers that these companies make solutions for.
The Future of Urban Agriculture
The proof is in the pudding, as they say. And it's obvious from the list above, that the pudding is very tasty indeed. Clearly, the future of urban agriculture is bright and full of potential. All the companies mentioned above (plus plenty more) are not just growing food; they're cultivating a new approach to agriculture that promises to revolutionize our food systems. Not too far down the road is a world where fresh, local, pesticide-free produce is available within a 10km radius of even the most dense urban cores across our planet.
So what does the future look like as these companies continue to grow?
What can we expect from the future of vertical farming?
- Increased automation: Companies like Plenty Farms are already incorporating AI and robotics into their operations. We can expect to see more advanced automation technologies that further optimize plant growth and reduce labor costs.
- Expanded crop varieties: While many vertical farms currently focus on leafy greens and herbs, companies are continuously researching ways to grow a wider variety of crops efficiently in vertical systems (and in particular, flowering plants like tomatoes and peppers).
- Integration with smart cities: As urban planners look for sustainable solutions, vertical farms could become an integral part of smart city designs, providing fresh, local produce while reducing transportation emissions.
- Improved resource efficiency: Ongoing research and development will likely lead to even more efficient use of water, energy, and space in vertical farming systems. We'd argue to watch this space in particular as lighting in particular becomes more efficient and cost-effective.
- Greater accessibility: As companies continue to develop home-growing solutions, we may see a future where many households have their own mini vertical farms.
The companies we've explored are at the forefront of this agricultural revolution, each contributing unique innovations to the field. As vertical farming technology continues to advance and become more accessible, we can look forward to a future where fresh, locally grown produce is available to everyone, regardless of location or climate. And honestly, we can't wait.
Want to learn more from one of the premier companies in vertical farming? Find out more about Just Vertical here.
FAQ: Vertical Farming Companies
- Q: What is vertical farming?
- A: Vertical farming is a method of growing crops in vertically stacked layers, often incorporating controlled-environment agriculture technology and techniques. It typically uses soilless farming techniques such as hydroponics, aeroponics, or aquaponics.
- Q: How do vertical farms save water?
- A: Vertical farms use closed-loop systems that recycle water. Many companies, like Just Vertical, report using up to 95% less water than traditional farming methods.
- Q: Can vertical farming be done at home?
- A: Yes, companies like Just Vertical offer compact vertical farming systems designed for home use, allowing individuals to grow fresh produce in their living spaces.
- Q: Are vertically farmed products organic?
- A: While vertical farming methods typically don't use pesticides, not all vertically farmed products are certified organic. This is because current organic certification is tied to soil-based farming. However, many vertical farms produce crops that are free from synthetic pesticides and chemicals.
- Q: How do vertical farms compare to traditional farms in terms of yield?
- A: Vertical farms can produce significantly higher yields per square foot compared to traditional farms. For example, Plenty Farms reports yields up to 350 times higher than conventional farming methods.
Conclusion
As we've explored the top 10 vertical farming companies revolutionizing urban agriculture, it's evident that this innovative approach is reshaping our food production landscape. From Plenty Farms' AI-driven towers to Just Vertical's full-service products across a wide breadth of categories, each company is contributing unique solutions to address global food challenges.
All these companies we've explored are not only increasing crop yields and efficiency but also promoting sustainability through reduced water usage, pesticide-free production, and decreased transportation emissions. Their diverse offerings cater to a wide range of needs, from commercial-scale operations to home growing systems - most likely you'll find one company here at least who would cater to what you need.
As urban populations grow and climate change impacts traditional farming, vertical farming's role in ensuring food security becomes increasingly crucial. Looking ahead, we can expect:
- Further technological advancements in farming systems
- Greater integration of vertical farms into urban planning
- Expansion of crop varieties suitable for vertical cultivation
- Increased accessibility of vertical farming solutions
The future of farming isn't just horizontal -- it's vertical, and it's unfolding in cities worldwide. Whether you're considering starting your own vertical farm or simply want to learn more about sustainable urban agriculture, these companies offer a wealth of innovative solutions.
Ready to be part of this green revolution? Explore Just Vertical's cutting-edge solutions and expert consulting services here. Join us in cultivating a more sustainable future through vertical farming!